We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Easy Life

by Karl McHugh

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

about

Trying to figure out the immigration system so myself and my (now) wife could be in the same country has been complicated! I never thought it would take so long. We had been going back and forth between Ireland and America. Staying as long as our visa’s allowed us. For a lot of the time only one of us could work. So money was never in abundance. Thankfully we have an amazing group of friends and family that really supported us. Many times we asked each other “How do other people, without this safety net do it?” It seems almost impossible. The love that surrounds us has not gone unnoticed.

This song was written during a summer spent in California. A friend very generously allowed us to crash at her place. I couldn’t work so my main job was moral support while Ariel completed her summer job. Feeling a bit helpless waiting for my immigration papers the temptation to write a “Woe, Is Me – I’m a troubled songwriter” song was thick in the air. However, I didn’t think that type of song was what I needed. Instead I wanted to focus on the good things and sing a song that made me feel better about everything.

A line that both fills me with pride for writing it and pending dread every time I hear it is: “Let’s act like we’re retired, cause lord knows we’ll never afford it. Let’s worry about that later when we’re too tired and too old to notice!” To me this line really sums up the “Look on the bright side” feeling I had at that time, while also alluding to the “this might come back to bite you in the arse” feeling.

I’m so thankful to Ariel for suggesting that this song be a duet. I played her an early version of the song hoping she might be able to suggest something to give the second verse a bit more energy. She knew straight away! A small change in perspective from another singer lifted the whole song to a new level.

lyrics

Deep in the country where boys become men
I’d need to work to the bone until the day ends
where sleep is for the weak and “thanks” is a word I won’t hear
Why would I do that when I've got all that I need right here

They push in the city as far as I can bend
I’d be praying each day just to see the weekend
and be sure at any moment they'd kick me out onto the street
Why would I do that now that I’ve got everything I need

I wanna wake each morning as slow as I can
We could slide to the evening without any plans
and do what we want from sunset till morning light
I wanna spend each day with you on my hand
We can fade away as best as we can
I wanna hold you close and do what we know feels right
Let’s keep working on an easy life

I’m done with running a race that nobody wins
Stuck at the mercy of who’s pulling the stings
Let’s act like we’re retired cause lord knows we’ll never afford it
Let’s worry 'bout that later when we’re too tired and too old to notice

Chorus

[instrumental break]

Chorus

credits

released July 31, 2020
Karl McHugh
Ariel Estébez

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Karl McHugh image

Karl McHugh San Mateo, California

Karl McHugh’s folk/rock songwriting is a fusion of his upbringing in Donegal, Ireland and his current home in the San Francisco Bay Area. The retro-style folk music falls somewhere between the purview of Paul Simon and CCR, evoking a house party singalong vibe: fun, warm, inclusive, and good for a laugh! ... more

contact / help

Contact Karl McHugh

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Karl McHugh, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now